It's a time of crisis, global turbulence, and economic change. It's also a time of opportunity. On the first of January, for the first time, Malta took up the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

European parliament committees expressed their concerns about the structure, portfolios and competences of candidates in written questions to the 27 commissioners-designate. The queries were sent to the candidates last week as part of the approval process of the new Juncker Commission.